Not enough balance.
Set your stake and risk level, then drop a ball through the pegs. The final pocket determines the multiplier applied to that drop. Review the pocket values before playing with Chips or Shards.
A more volatile board can show larger possible multipliers alongside more low returns. The highest pocket value is a possible outcome, not the expected result. Each drop is a separate play; the path is presented as an animation of its outcome.
No. The ball animation shows the round result. Clicking at a particular moment does not steer it into a high multiplier pocket.
Plinko credits the result to the currency used for that drop. Chips are for play. Shards are the currency used for eligible withdrawal requests, with current methods and availability shown in your wallet.